At Morecambe, Healy was named twice in the Conference team of the year, represented the England semi-professional side when he played against the Netherlands and was later selected for a tour of the Far East with the Middlesex Wanderers.
His league debut came on 28 December, when he replaced Kevin Hill as a second-half substitute in Torquay's 2-0 win at home to Southend United.
He quickly settled into playing in a higher division, his distribution and awareness combining nicely with the ability to shoot well with either foot.
The following month he joined Darlington, initially on a one-month contract, with a view to a permanent deal,[3] scoring on his debut in the 1-0 home win over Oxford United on 10 November.
Healy was appointed manager of Bishop Auckland in October 2005,[5] and was unable to prevent the club from being relegated from the Northern Premier League Division One.